Employment & Internships

Exhibit Designer

Chabot Space & Science Center seeks a creative, multi-talented individual to join its Experience Design team. The Exhibit Designer is responsible for the visualization and design of new exhibitions and environments in the Center. S/he insures that Chabot offers innovative, engaging visitor experiences that are visitor-focused, content-rich, aesthetically engaging, and support the organization's mission and achievement of strategic goals. The Exhibit Designer is a key role in Chabot's Experience Design team, working as a creative catalyst on permanent and temporary/traveling exhibitions and other public spaces and design projects. S/he develops three-dimensional exhibits and interior environments, drafts concept and design drawings, prepares specifications and project documentation, supervises implementation of design intent during fabrication and installation, and provides project management during planning, design, development, production, fabrication and installation.

This is a grant-funded position. The Exhibit Designer reports to the Senior Manager of Experience Design. This full-time position is located on-site in Oakland, CA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and design exhibitions and exhibition elements that fulfill Chabot's mission and goals.

• Contribute to the long-term planning process for exhibitions.

• Maintain knowledge of innovations and best practices in museums, informal learning, and other relevant creative fields. Apply this knowledge to design and produce visitor experiences.

• Visualize design through drawings, physical models, computer models and physical or mechanical prototypes.

• Prepare design drawings and documentation for exhibit fabrication.

• Collaborate cross-departmentally with other Chabot staff to insure complementary programmatic planning, communicate progress, and coordinate work.

• Work closely with non-staff team members, including contract designers, architects, fabricators, subject matter experts, educators, artists, and community partners.

• Analyze and synthesize project team discussions to provide innovative exhibit design solutions.

• Create and manage project timelines, budgets, schedules, contracts, and other project documentation.

• Design fully accessible displays and environments.

• Incorporate human-factors and cognitive evaluation findings into design solutions.

• Create and maintain any office procedures and documentation required by the design process.

• Coordinate exhibit fabrication, installation, and de-installation for small and large projects, including gallery prep, scheduling, shipping and receiving.

• Maintain relationships with other museum/exhibitions professionals, consultants, and vendors.

• Hire, train, and supervise temporary staff as directed by supervisor.

• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Strong exhibit design experience, with a minimum of 3-5 years experience, preferably including science center or children's museum exhibits or closely related experience.

• Ability to create dynamic, compelling experiential and presentation environments that provide a multi-layered visitor experience.

• Adept at collaboration with creative and technical professionals, scientists and scholars, other museum professionals, and Chabot's public audiences.

• Ability to think strategically and apply strong project management and implementation skills to execute complex projects with outstanding design on time and within the constraints of established budgets and schedules.

• Ability to design effective mechanical, electrical and other interactive exhibit components.

• Excellent drawing and drafting skills (hand sketching and CAD software such as VectorWorks or AutoCAD.

• Ability to accurately estimate costs for exhibit projects.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills.

• Thorough understanding of museum fabrication, graphic production, and installation methods and equipment; skilled with various hand and power tools, lifts, etc.

• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, think quickly, and improvise when necessary.

• Ability to participate in multiple projects concurrently and work in a fast-paced environment under multiple deadlines.

• Flexibility, self-motivation, commitment to fostering a collaborative work environment, and ability to work as a team player with a variety of people.

• Strong computer skills: comfortable working with a variety of communication tools including Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite, CAD and 3D modeling applications, and others.

• Bachelor's degree in industrial design, architecture/interior design, theater design, art or equivalent training and experience.

• Nonprofit experience, museum experience, and interest in science is desired.

To apply:

Send cover letter, resume, digital portfolio, and three references by January 13, 2012:

Email: TSchwarz@ChabotSpace.org

Mail:
Senior Manager of Experience Design
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd. Oakland, CA 94619

Compensation

Salary for this position is commensurate with other non-profit organizations and will be commensurate with experience.

Job location is Oakland

• This is at a non-profit organization.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.
• Reposting this message elsewhere is NOT OK.

Application

Mail resume and cover letter to:

Senior Manager of Experience Design
Chabot Space & Science Center
10000 Skyline Blvd,
Oakland, CA 94619
email: tschwarz@chabotspace.org
Fax: 510-336-7491

* * We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those applicants under consideration will be contacted.

CSSC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.